Clock device with automatic simulation of sunrise or sunset

ABSTRACT

A clock comprises an alarm clock housing having a front face, a clock display occupying at least a portion of the front face, a control on the housing for activating a shade positioning function, and a processor within the housing. The processor is responsive to the control for generating at least one shade positioning command to be transmitted to at least one motorized window shade, so as to cause the motorized window shade to move to one or more position at one or more corresponding predetermined interval relative to an alarm time.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/249,788, filed Aug. 29, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,678,480, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/887,408, filed Oct.20, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,429,917, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/838,708, filed Mar. 15, 2013, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,195,220, which is expressly incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to consumer electronics generally, and moreparticularly to alarm clocks.

BACKGROUND

Alarm clocks are ubiquitous and inexpensive. Efforts have been made toimprove the basic alarm, because many individuals find the audible alarmannoying. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,280,439 describes a“countermeasure for circadian and sleep disruption as caused by atraditional alarm clock.” It incorporates a lighting system at the alarmclock that, prior to the preset waking time, will emit a light thatgradually increases in intensity as it changes the ultraviolet spectrumof light it emits, so as to simulate the rising sun.

Improved alarm clocks are desired.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a clock, comprises an alarm clock housing having afront face, a clock display occupying at least a portion of the frontface, a control on the housing for activating a shade positioningfunction, and a processor within the housing. The processor isresponsive to the control for generating at least one shade positioningcommand to be transmitted to at least one motorized window shade, so asto cause the motorized window shade to move to one or more position atone or more corresponding predetermined interval relative to an alarmtime.

In some embodiments, a clock comprises an alarm clock housing having afront face. A clock display occupies at least a portion of the frontface. A first control is provided on the housing for setting an alarmtime. A second control is provided on the housing for activating acommand sequence. A processor within the housing is responsive to thesecond control for generating the command sequence, including at leasttwo shade positioning commands to be transmitted wirelessly to at leastone motorized window shade at respective transmission times, so as tocause the motorized window shade to move to respective increasingly openpositions at one or more predetermined interval relative to the alarmtime. A first wireless communications interface within the housing andcoupled to the processor for transmitting the command sequence to themotorized window shade.

In some embodiments, a clock, comprises an alarm clock housing having afront face. A clock display occupies at least a portion of the frontface. A first control on the housing for setting an event time. A secondcontrol is provided on the housing. A processor within the housing isresponsive to actuation of the second control for generating a commandsequence including at least two shade positioning commands to betransmitted wirelessly to at least one motorized window shade atrespective transmission times, so as to cause the motorized window shadeto move to respective increasingly closed positions at one or morepredetermined interval relative to the event time. A first wirelesscommunications interface is provided within the housing and coupled tothe processor for transmitting the command sequence to the motorizedwindow shade.

In some embodiments, apparatus comprises a mobile device configured withan alarm clock function capable of receiving an input alarm time, themobile device having an input/output (I/O) port or earphone port, and adongle. The dongle comprises a connector adapted to connect to the I/Oport or earphone port of the mobile device and communicate with themobile device, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, an RF antenna coupledto the RF transceiver, and a processor coupled to the connector and theRF transceiver. The processor is configured to receive the alarm timefrom the mobile device, and generate at least one shade positioningcommand to be transmitted to at least one motorized window shade via theRF transceiver and the RF antenna, so as to cause the motorized windowshade to move to one or more position at one or more correspondingpredetermined interval relative to the alarm time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a clock according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the clock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an environment in which the clockoperates.

FIG. 3 and FIGS. 3A-3G are diagrams showing operation of shades andlights by the clock of FIG. 1 at several instants in time.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method performed by the clock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of another example of a method performed by theclock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a snooze sequence performed using the clock ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the clock with a dockingport for a mobile device.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the clock with awireless interface for communication with a mobile device.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method performed by the clock of FIG. 7 orFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of another embodiment including a mobile device anda dongle.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method performed using the apparatus ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a procedure for activating electrical lightsif the user programs the clock to perform a sunrise event using shades,and the alarm time is before dawn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be consideredpart of the entire written description. In the description, relativeterms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,”“below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof(e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should beconstrued to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown inthe drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenienceof description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments,coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” referto a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to oneanother either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, aswell as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unlessexpressly described otherwise.

This disclosure describes an alarm clock which simulates a naturalsunrise to gently wake a user before or at the alarm time by graduallyopening one or more window shades during a predetermined period (e.g.,10, 20, or 30 minutes, or other user selected value) before the alarmtime. In some embodiments, fallback mechanisms (which may include lightsand/or an audible alarm), are provided to ensure that the user isawakened even if the sky is very dark and the natural light levels arelow. The clock is a portable, self-contained, free-standing unit thatdoes not require any wiring, and can easily be activated by a homeownerwithout any special tools.

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a first embodiment of clock 100. Theclock 100 comprises an alarm clock housing 102 having a front face 104.A clock display occupies at least a portion of the front face 104. Insome embodiments, the clock display occupies a portion of the frontface, such as about 25% of the area of the front face or more. In someembodiments, the clock display occupies about 50% of the area of thefront face or more. In other embodiments the clock display occupies asmaller or larger fraction of the front face area. In variousembodiments, the clock display can have any of a variety of formats,such as a digital readout, as shown in FIG. 1A, or an analog clockhaving actual or simulated clock hands (where simulated hands are formedby a liquid crystal display or light emitting diode display of polygonspositioned to show the time according to a 12-hour or 24-hour analogclock format. In other embodiments, the clock display can use variedcolors and/or brightness.

The housing 102 of the clock 100 has several controls. In variousembodiments, any of the controls can be located on any face of the clockaccording to principles of ergonomics, ease of use, and aesthetics. Theplacement of all controls on the top in FIG. 1A is only an example andis not limiting. Similarly, the use of toggle switches and buttons inFIG. 1A are only exemplary, and each control can be any of any type.

In some embodiments, the control 110 is used to toggle between settingthe time of the clock 100 (when the control 110 is in a first position)and setting the alarm time (when the control 110 is in a secondposition). The clock time or alarm time is set using controls 122 and124. In some embodiments, controls 122 and 124 are provided for settingthe minute and hour. In some embodiments, a third control 126 is used toselect the direction (positive or negative) of the minute or hourreadout while setting the time. In other embodiments, the third control126 may be used to toggle between the primary time zone and a secondtime zone, or between standard time and daylight savings time. The alarmtime entered using the controls 110, 122 and 124 is stored in anon-transitory storage medium within the housing 102 of clock 100.

In other embodiments, control 126 is used to initiate an associationprocess, wherein a processor 130 is responsive to actuation of the thirdcontrol 126 for associating the clock 100 with a device that istransmitting an association data sequence. For example, the clock 100can be located within the same room as a device, such as a motorizedshade electronic drive unit (EDU) 206 (FIG. 2), a dimmer 220 (FIG. 2) ora mobile device 710 (FIG. 8). By associating the clock 100 with amotorized window shade EDU 206 and/or processor controlled dimmer 220,the shade and/or dimmer become responsive to commands generated andtransmitted by the clock 100. Association provides a procedure to linkthese devices. The processor 130 can be configured to performassociations with devices which issue compatible data streams accordingto a predetermined message and communications protocol, such as the“CLEAR CONNECT®” protocol used in automatic controls sold by LutronElectronics Co., Inc. In other embodiments, the association control canbe an additional control button (not shown) on the back of the clock100, or in another location where it is not likely to be unintentionallyactuated.

In some embodiments, the clock 100 has at least one control 106 and/or108 on the housing 102 for activating a shade positioning functiondescribed below. In FIG. 1A a sunrise event control 108 and a sunsetevent control 106 are provided. In some embodiments, sunrise eventcontrol 108 and sunset event control 106 operate as individual toggles,either or both of which can be activated at any given time.

The clock 100 has a processor 130 within the housing 102. The processor130 is responsive to the control 106 or 108 for generating at least oneshade positioning command to be transmitted to at least one motorizedwindow shade 204 (FIG. 2), so as to cause the motorized window shade tomove to one or more position at one or more corresponding predeterminedinterval relative to an alarm time.

In some embodiments, the at least one shade positioning command includesa single command to cause the shade to gradually open or gradually closeat a predetermined average rate. For example, when the sunrise eventcontrol 108 is set, the shade positioning command can cause the shade torotate so that the hem bar (bottom) of the shade fabric moves at aconstant linear speed for a predetermined period of time, or until theshade reaches a fully opened position. Methods and apparatus for causingthe shade to move with constant linear speed are described in U.S. Pat.No. 7,635,018, entitled “System for controlling a roller shade fabric toa desired linear speed,” which is incorporated herein by reference. Inother embodiments, the command can cause the shade to rotate with anaverage rotational speed. The processor can accept the period of time asa user input, or use a default period stored in a non-transitory storagemedium within the clock. If the user inputs the period of time, theshade positioning command includes the period of time and/or averagelinear speed; the EDU 206 of the motorized shade contains a processorcapable of computing the rotational speed at which the shade will turn.In other embodiments, the processor can calculate the speed at which themotor of the shade 204 is to turn (taking into account the change indiameter of the fabric roll as it is wound or unwound).

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to generate a commandsequence including a plurality of shade positioning commands to betransmitted at respective transmission times to cause the motorizedshade to move to respectively different positions, so as to graduallyopen or gradually close the shade.

The clock 100 has a control 114 for turning on an audible alarm at thealarm time that has been set using controls 110, 122 and 124. In someembodiments, the alarm control causes the audible alarm to be emitted atthe alarm time entered by the user in a conventional manner. In someembodiments, if the alarm control 114 and the sunrise event control 108are both activated, the action of the alarm control 114 is modified. Forexample, in some embodiments, the audible alarm is delayed until passageof a predetermined interval after the alarm time, and the audible alarmdoes not emit sound if the user turns off the alarm control between thealarm time and the end of the predetermined interval.

Control 116 is a snooze button. If the audible alarm control 114 isactivated, but the sunrise event control 108 is not activated, thesnooze button 116 performs a conventional function of interrupting theaudible alarm for a predetermined period, and then resuming the audiblealarm. However, if the sunrise event control 108 is activated, thefunction of the snooze control 114 is modified, as described below withreference to FIG. 6.

In some embodiments, controls 118 and 120 can be additional “shortsnooze” buttons for interrupting the audible alarm for shorterpredetermined periods. In other embodiments, buttons 118 and 120 provideother functions, either to assist in programming a sunrise event or asunset event. For example, in some embodiments, buttons 118 and 120 (orother equivalent controls) are used for inputting the number of shademoving operation(s) and/or the length of the interval between the startof each successive shade movement.

In some embodiments, a light control 112 is provided on the housing. Ifthe sunrise event control 108 and light control 112 are both set, thenduring the sunrise event, in addition to controlling the shades, theclock 100 issues dimmer commands to a processor controlled dimmer 220(FIG. 2), such as a “MAESTRO®” switch and dimmer control sold by LutronElectronics Co., Inc. of Coopersburg, Pa. The functions performed whenthe light control 112 is activated during a sunrise event are describedbelow with reference to FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, the clock 100 has a light level sensor 128 on thehousing. During a sunrise event, if the illumination levels are lowerthan a predetermined threshold value, the clock can reactively issuelight commands to a processor controlled switch/dimmer 220. The lightlevel adjustments are not required to be performed at the same time asthe shade adjustments. In some embodiments, the processor 130 isresponsive to the light level signal from sensor 128 for determining ata predetermined interval after transmitting each respective shadepositioning command whether a light level is lower than a thresholdvalue, and transmitting a respective dimmer command to a wireless dimmerif the light level is lower than the threshold. The dimmer command cancause the dimmer 220 to gradually increase the light level. In someembodiments, the dimmer command causes the light level to initiallyswitch from an off state to an intermediate or bright level.

The clock also has an embedded processor 130. The processor has atangible, non-transitory storage medium (not shown) containing thecomputer program instructions for operating the clock as describedherein. The functions performed by the processor during the sunrise andsunset events are described below with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 9 and11.

In some embodiments, the clock face 104 includes indicators 104 a-104 dwhich indicate which of the audible alarm, lighting, sunrise event andsunset event controls are activated.

FIG. 1B is a simplified block diagram of the clock 100. The alarm clockfunctions are provided by the clock module 148. As understood by one ofordinary skill, the processor 130 has a separate timing clock (notshown) which synchronizes actions of the digital logic elements; thetiming clock is omitted from FIG. 1B to avoid confusion. The processor130 has a non-transitory storage medium 150, which includes instructionstorage area 152 and data storage area 154. The clock 100 has an audioalarm 148, such as a buzzer, which is capable of gradually increasing involume. A codec 142 is provided to encode command sequences to betransmitted to the motorized shade 204 and switch/dimmer 220. Atransceiver 144 and RF antenna 146 provide an RF communications path fortransmitting and receiving these command sequences.

In some embodiments, the clock 100 has an additional wirelesscommunications interface 156 within the housing and coupled to theprocessor for transmitting the command sequence to the motorized windowshade 206, a processor controlled switch/dimmer 220. The additionalwireless communications interface 156 may be an 802.11 (WiFi) interface,a Bluetooth interface, or a proprietary interface.

In some embodiments, a radio tuner 158 is provided, permitting the clockto be used as a clock-radio.

FIG. 2 shows a non-limiting example of a control environment in whichthe clock can be used. Although FIG. 2 shows a cord and plug, the clock100 can operate on batteries, or the clock can operate on AC currentwith battery backup. In addition to the clock 100, at least one window202 or skylight of the room (in which the clock is located) has amotorized window shade 204 with an electronic drive unit EDU 206containing an antenna, an RF receiver, a motor controller, and a motor.The motor can be either an AC or DC motor. The motor controller of EDU206 is configured to receive signals from the clock 100 representingshade commands by way of the antenna and the RF receiver, and transmitsignals to operate the motor. In some embodiments, the commands identifya shade position or a number of rotations of the shade roller, formoving the hembar of the shade to a predetermined position. In otherembodiments, the commands identify an average rotational velocity atwhich the motor is to turn.

The clock 100 is capable of issuing commands to a processor controlledswitch/dimmer 220, such as “MAESTRO®” switch and dimmer control sold byLutron Electronics Co., Inc. The switch/dimmer 220 is responsive to thecommands issued by the clock 100 to turn the electric light 218 on (oroff), or gradually increase (or decrease) brightness of the light 218over a period of time.

In some embodiments, the room is equipped with a light sensor 208 whichallows the clock 100 to remotely detect the ambient lighting level inthe room. In some embodiments, the clock 100 can use the lighting levelinformation provided by the sensor 208 to control the gradual increasein supplemental illumination by electrical lights during a sunriseevent, to achieve one or more desired illumination levels during thesunrise event. The illumination measurements from light sensor 208 canbe used in place of the light sensor 128, particularly if the clock 100is very close to an electrical light, and the user wishes to control theaverage light level in the room during the sunrise event. In someembodiments, the light sensor 208 is adapted to be mounted on oradjacent to a window, and the light sensor 208 has a wirelesscommunications interface for communicating with the processor 130 viathe first wireless communications interface.

The clock 100 is also capable of receiving inputs from other sensors andcontrols. In some embodiments, the clock accepts remote control signalsfrom a remote control unit 210, such as the “PICO®” wireless controlsold by Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. During a sunrise event as describedwith reference to FIG. 6, the snooze button 116 can be pressed directly,or a user can use a remote control to issue a “snooze” signal to theclock 100. The processor 130 responds to receipt of the snooze signalfrom remote control unit 210 in the same way as it responds todepression of the snooze button 116.

FIGS. 3 to 3G show a non-limiting example of a simulated sunrise event.In FIG. 3, the user has input an alarm time of 6:30 AM. It will beunderstand that the alarm time, the time at which the sunrise eventbegins, the number of shade movements in the sunrise event, and thelength of each interval can be varied, and in some embodiments areselected by user inputs.

In FIG. 3A, up until the first shade control command is issued, theshade 204 is in the fully closed position. In this example, the clock100 is configured or programmed by a user input value to perform asimulated sunrise event beginning one half hour before the alarm time.In some embodiments, the shade positioning command sequence is a singlecommand to continuously move the motor to raise the shade at an averagerotational speed to a fully open position within one half hour beforethe alarm time; or the gradual opening begins at 6:00; FIGS. 3A to 3Gshow the state of the shade 204 and window 202 at various times in thehalf hour period. In some embodiments, if the user activates lightingcontrol in addition to the sunset event control, the clock 100 issuesone or more dimmer/switch commands to a processor controlled dimmerswitch to gradually increase the brightness of electrical lightscontrolled by the dimmer switch. The dimmer/switch commands can eithercause continuous gradual increase in illumination throughout the periodof the sunrise event, or stepwise increases in illumination.

In other embodiments, the clock 100 performs a simulated sunrise eventby issuing a plurality of shade positioning commands to move the shadeto discrete positions at discrete times. For example, FIGS. 3A to 3Gshow the state of the shade 204 and window 202 if the shade positioningcommands instruct the motorized shade 204 to move so that the shade isopen 20%, 40%, 60% 80% and 100% of its opening range, respectively atthe end of each of six equal time intervals before the alarm time. Insome embodiments, the length of the interval can be a user input value.In other embodiments, if no interval length is input, a default value(e.g., 5 minutes) is used as the length of the interval.

In some embodiments, both the shade movements and the electric lightincrease are performed in discrete steps. In some embodiments, shadesare moved gradually or continuously, while the lights are brightened indiscrete steps. In other embodiments, shades are moved in discretesteps, while the lights are brightened gradually or continuously. Insome embodiments, both shade movements and electric light increase areperformed gradually or continuously.

This disclosure also describes an alarm clock which simulates a naturalsunset to gradually close one or more window shades during apredetermined period (e.g., 30 minutes) after (or before) the alarmtime, to gradually reduce the natural light levels in the room. As inthe case of the simulated sunrise, the simulated sunset can be a slow,continuous or gradual shade closing over a predetermined period, or asequence of discrete shade closing steps at spaced intervals throughoutthe period.

Although FIGS. 3 and 3A-3G show an example in which a table lamp iscontrolled, other embodiments use the dimmer commands to control othertypes of lighting, such as ceiling fixtures and track lighting.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the operation of an embodiment of a clock 100,under control of the processor 130.

At step 400, the sequence starts. A sunrise event is initiated byactuating the sunrise control 108, or a sunset event is initiated byactuating the sunset control 106.

At step 402, the processor 130 retrieves the alarm time from itsnon-transitory storage medium. The alarm time is input by the user asdescribed above.

At step 404, the processor 130 computes at least one shade command timerelative to the alarm time. For example, in some embodiments, a singleshade command time at a default interval (e.g., 20 or 30 minutes) beforethe alarm time is selected. In other embodiments, the clock 100 includescontrols which the user can use to input the interval and/or the numberof steps used to gradually increase the shade opening. The clock 100thus generates a set of one or more command times.

At step 406, at each shade command time, the processor 130 generates atleast one shade command to be transmitted to the motorized shade,identifying a shade motor movement (corresponding to a position of thebottom of the shade) or a shade motor rotation rate (corresponding to arate of raising or lowering the shade) using the apparatus shown in FIG.1B.

At step 408, the clock 100 transmits at least one shade command to thecontroller in the EDU 206 of the motorized shade 202 to cause the shadeto be raised or lowered.

FIG. 5 is a more detailed flow chart showing operation according tocertain embodiments. Thus, FIG. 5 is an example, and does not limit therange of embodiments encompassed by FIG. 4.

At step 500 the sequence starts. A sunrise event is initiated byactuating the sunrise control 108, or a sunset event is initiated byactuating the sunset control 106. In the example of FIG. 5, the lightingcontrol 112 is also activated.

At step 502, At step 402, the processor 130 retrieves the alarm timefrom its non-transitory storage medium. The alarm time and the length ofthe interval between initiation of shade movements, and/or number ofshade movements is input by the user as described above. In someembodiments, the system only uses one interval, and the user inputs thelength for the sunrise event. In the example of FIG. 5, the user inputsboth the interval length and number of intervals (e.g., 6 intervals, 5minutes each, as shown in FIG. 3).

At step 504, a determination is made whether a sunrise event or sunsetis being performed. For a sunrise event, steps 506-514 are performed.For a sunset event, steps 516-524 are performed.

At step 506, the processor 130 computes one or more shade command timesrelative to the alarm time.

At step 508, a loop is performed for each interval, beginning at a timewhich precedes the alarm time by the product of the interval length andthe number of intervals.

At step 510, at each of the one or more shade command times, theprocessor 130 generates a shade command to be transmitted to themotorized shade for causing the shade to be raised, using the apparatusshown in FIG. 1B.

At step 512, at each of the one or more shade command times, theprocessor 130 generates a shade command to be transmitted to theprocessor controlled switch/dimmer 220 for causing the light levels tobe increased. In some embodiments, clock 100 transmits the dimmercommands in each interval immediately before or after the shadecommand(s) are transmitted. In other embodiments, the dimmer commandsare not synchronized with the shade commands.

At step 514, the clock 100 transmits the shade commands to the motorizedshade controller, and the dimmer commands to the dimmer controller.

At step 526, after the alarm time, the auditory alarm (e.g., buzzer ormusic) is sounded at a volume that increases over time, and the lightsare controlled based on feedback from the light sensor 128 or 208 tomaintain illumination at a waking level (even if the outdoor skies growcloudy).

At step 516, the processor 130 computes one or more shade command timesafter to the alarm time. Thus, the user specifies when the simulatedsunset begins, instead of its end time.

At step 518, a loop is performed for each interval, beginning the alarmtime and ending at a time which precedes the alarm time by the productof the interval length and the number of intervals.

At step 520, at each of the one or more shade command times, theprocessor 130 generates a shade command to be transmitted to themotorized shade for causing the shade to be lowered, using the apparatusshown in FIG. 1B.

At step 522, at each of the one or more shade command times, theprocessor 130 generates a shade command to be transmitted to theprocessor controlled switch/dimmer 220 for causing the light levels tobe decreased. In some embodiments, clock 100 transmits the dimmercommands in each interval immediately before or after the shadecommand(s) are transmitted. In other embodiments, the dimmer commandsare not synchronized with the shade commands.

At step 524, the clock 100 transmits the shade commands to the motorizedshade controller, and the dimmer commands to the dimmer controller.

At step 528, the sequence ends.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the snooze function whenthe sunrise control 108 is activated.

The operation begins at step 600, when control 108 and is turned on.

At step 602, at the end of the sunrise event (i.e., at the alarm time),the shades are in their fully open position.

At step 604, the clock 100 waits for a predetermined period, and allowsthe user to awaken gradually from the natural and/or electrical lights,without any jarring sounds.

At step 606, if the user has not turned off the alarm within apredetermined period after the alarm time, the audible alarm (e.g.,buzzer or music) is sounded.

At step 608, if the snooze control 116 on the housing 102 of clock 100,is actuated, or if a snooze signal from an external remote controldevice 210 (FIG. 2) is received, steps 610-614 are performed. Otherwise,steps 610-614 are skipped.

At step 610, activation of the snooze control 116 (or a signal fromremote control 210) interrupts the audible alarm. In some embodiments,the processor 130 further responds to actuation of the snooze control116 or receipt of the snooze signal from remote control device 210 bymoving the motorized window shade 204 to a snooze position for apredetermined period (which can be the same as the alarm snooze period,or shorter).

At step 612, the processor waits for a predetermined period (e.g., 9 or10 minutes), without issuing additional shade positioning commands

At step 614, the audible alarm resumes, and returns the motorized windowshade to the open position (if closed) when the predetermined period hasended.

At step 616,

the sequence ends.

In some embodiments, the clock is configured to interface to a mobiledevice, and the mobile device provides a graphical user interface (GUI),with which the user can input the parameters for the sunrise and/orsunset events.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a clock 700, which is similar to theclock 100 of FIG. 1A, except that the clock 700 further comprises aninterface (e.g., a mobile device dock 702 configured to connect to aport 712 of a of a mobile device 710) The mobile device 710 can be asmart phone, tablet, mini-tablet or the like. The wired mobile devicedock 702 is configured with a standard connector and interface for aparticular mobile device type, such as an iPhone (by Apple Corporationof Cupertino, Calif.), or a “ATIV S” Windows phone (sold by SamsungCorporation of Seoul, KR) or an Android based phone, such as a “GALAXY”phone sold by Samsung Corporation of Seoul, KR. In FIG. 7, the mobiledevice 710 is shown in phantom in its position connected to the dock 702of the clock 700. Other elements of clock 700 which are the same asthose of claim 1 are indicated by like reference numerals. For brevity,descriptions of these items are not repeated.

The mobile device 710 is configured with a display 714, a non-transitorystorage medium, such as flash memory, and one or more hard control 716or soft control. The mobile device 710 is configured to provide agraphical interface to a user for entering the alarm time, such thatwhen the mobile device is connected to the mobile device interface, theclock receives the alarm time from the mobile device. In someembodiments, the mobile device has stored in its memory an applicationfor inputting the data input parameters used by the clock 100, asdiscussed above (e.g., alarm time, whether a sunrise or sunset event isto be scheduled, the number of intervals (between shade movements), andthe duration of each interval. The processor 130 is configured to detectwhen the mobile device 710 is connected to the interface (e.g., dock),and request and receive the alarm time from the device, event type,number of intervals, and or duration of each interval from the mobiledevice 710 upon detecting that the mobile device is connected to thedock.

FIG. 8 is diagram of an alternative embodiment of the clock, which issimilar to the clock 700, except that both the clock 800 and the mobiledevice 710 have a wireless communications interface, such as an IEEE802.11 (WiFi) wireless local area network interface 802 in the clock800, and a WiFi interface 720 in the mobile device 710. Other wirelesscommunications interfaces, such as RF (e.g., Lutron Clear Connectprotocol) or Bluetooth may be substituted. The clock 800 can use thereceived signal strength indication (RSSI) of the signals received fromthe mobile device 710 to detect that the mobile device 710 is in closeproximity, and request the input parameters from the mobile device 710.

In both the wired interface example of FIG. 7 and the wireless interfaceexample of FIG. 8, the clock 700 (800) can be configured to input andstore an internal alarm time in the clock; and the processor 130 isconfigured to generate the at least one shade positioning command and/orlight positioning command at the internal alarm time, if the processor130 does not detect any mobile device 710 connected to the dock, orhaving sufficient RSSI to be within close enough proximity for awireless connection.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing operation of the clock 700 (800) whichinterfaces to a mobile device.

At step 900 the operation begins.

At step 902, a determination is made whether the mobile device 710 iscoupled to the clock 700 (800), by docking to a wired port 702 on theclock, or by moving the mobile device to within proximity of the clock.

At step 904 if there is no mobile device coupled to the clock, the clockretrieves the internal alarm time stored in its memory (as describedabove with reference to FIG. 1A).

At step 906, if the mobile device is coupled to the clock 700 (800), theclock receives the alarm time, event type (sunrise or sunset) intervallength, and number of intervals from the mobile device.

At step 908, the clock 700 (800) computes one or more shade command timeprior to the alarm time.

At step 910, at each shade command time, the processor 130 generates ashade command with a successively higher or lower position.

At step 912, at each dimmer command time, the processor 130 generates adimmer command with a successively brighter or dimmer level.

At step 914, the processor transmits the commands to the motorized shadcontroller and dimmer.

At step 916, in some embodiments, at the alarm time, the mobile deviceplays music stored in the mobile device, through a speaker of the clock700, 800.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment.

In FIG. 10, the clock apparatus 1000 comprises a mobile device 710configured with an alarm clock function capable of receiving an inputalarm time. The mobile device 710 has an input/output (I/O) port 712 orearphone port.

The apparatus further includes a dongle 1002 comprising a connector 1004adapted to connect to the I/O port 712 or earphone port of the mobiledevice 710 and communicate with the mobile device, a radio frequency(RF) transceiver 1008, and an RF antenna 1010 coupled to the RFtransceiver. A processor 1006 in the dongle 1002 is coupled to theconnector 1004 and the RF transceiver 1008. The processor 1006 in thedongle 1002 is configured to receive the alarm time, event type (sunriseor sunset), interval length between shade movements and number ofintervals from the mobile device 714, and generate at least one shadepositioning command to be transmitted to at least one motorized windowshade 2004 via the RF transceiver 1008 and the RF antenna 1010, so as tocause the motorized window shade 204 to move to one or more position (ormove at a particular rate) at one or more corresponding predeterminedinterval relative to the alarm time. In other embodiments (not shown),the dongle is adapted to connect to the earphone port (not shown) of themobile device 710.

Thus, the embodiment of FIG. 10 uses the GUI of the mobile device as analternative input mechanism, in place of the hardware controls on thehousing of the clock 100. In some embodiments, the software functionsfor computing command times, generating and transmitting shade anddimmer commands are all stored in the dongle, and the software functionsfor activating an audible alarm are stored in the mobile device.

Other elements of the dongle 1002 (e.g., memory, codec, bus and the likeare understood by those of ordinary skill to be present, but are notdescribed in detail herein for brevity.

In other embodiments, the dongle 1002 provides the hardware (CPU 1006,transceiver 1008 and antenna 1010 for communicating with the motorizedshade controller, and the mobile device 710 has an integrated app forcomputing command times, generating and transmitting shade and dimmercommands and activating an audible alarm.

In other embodiments (not shown), the processor 1006 of the dongle 1002is configured to generate and transmit dimmer commands to a processorcontrolled switch dimmer, in the manner described above with respect tothe clock. Thus, all the operations described above with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6 can be performed using the combination of the mobiledevice 710 and the dongle.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 10.

At step 1100, operation begins any time the user enters an alarm time inthe sunrise/sunset app in the GUI of the mobile device.

At step 1102, the processor 130 checks whether the dongle 1002 isconnected to the mobile device 710. If the dongle 1002 is connected,steps 1106-1116 are performed. If the dongle 1002 is not connected, step1104 is performed.

At step 1104, if the dongle is not connected, then in some embodiments,the mobile device uses the alarm time stored in the mobile device as aregular audio alarm time (The sunrise event or sunset event is notperformed by the mobile device alone, without the dongle 1002.

In other embodiments, if the dongle is not connected, the mobile device710 searches for another gateway device that is capable of transmittingcommands to motorized shades and/or lights. The mobile device can thenissue shade and/or dimmer commands via the other gateway device.

At step 1106, in some embodiments, the dongle 1106 receives the alarmtime, event type, interval length, and number of intervals from themobile device 710 via the I/O port or earphone port 712 and connector1004.

At step 1108, the dongle computes the shade command times and/or dimmercommand times prior to the alarm time.

At step 1110, for each shade command time, the dongle generates arespective shade command, and if there are plural shade commands, eachhas a successively higher position for a sunrise event, or lower levelfor a sunset event.

At step 1112, for each dimmer command time, the dongle generates arespective dimmer command, and if there are plural dimmer commands, eachhas a successively brighter level for a sunrise event, or dimmer levelfor a sunset event.

At step 1114, the dongle 1002 transmits the commands to the motorizedshade controller and dimmer.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an additional feature that can be implementedin some embodiments. The clock 100 allows the user to activate a sunriseevent regardless of the time of day. In some such as those describedabove, the user wishes to wake up to a natural sunrise after the sun ishigh in the sky. In other cases, a user may attempt to program the clock100 for a sunrise event and without being aware that the alarm time isearly than the actual sunrise. For example, the user may activate thesunrise event control 108 (without activating the lighting control 112)and set the alarm time for 5 AM on a day when the sun rises at 6 AM. Inthat situation, the clock 100 will open the shades, but there is nodaylight. In some embodiments, the processor 130 automatically detectsthis situation, and takes corrective action by generating andtransmitting lighting commands.

At step 1200, the process begins.

At step 1201, a determination is made whether the sunrise event isactivated. If so, step 1202 is performed. If not, the routine ends atstep 1212.

At step 1202, a determination is made whether an internet connection isavailable. For example, the clocks 700, 800 can access the internetthrough the mobile device 710 while the mobile device is coupled toclock. Alternatively, the clocks 100, 700, 800 can be associated withanother device that has internet access, such as a “RADIORA® 2” controlsystem sold by Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. If Internet access isavailable, step 1204 is performed. Otherwise, the routine returns tostep 400 of FIG. 4 and performs the sunrise sequence described above.

At step 1204, the clock retrieves the local sunrise time from apredetermined Internet source.

At step 1206, a loop is performed for each shade command time, includingsteps 1208 and 1210.

At step 1208, for each shade command time computed by the clock (in theprocesses of FIG. 4 or 5, for example) the processor 130 compares thecomputed shade command time with the actual local sunrise time retrievedfrom the Internet. If the shade command time is earlier than actualsunrise, step 1210 is performed. Otherwise, the loop continues with thenext shade command time.

At step 1210, the processor generates and transmits a respective dimmercommand to the dimmer control 220 (which may be in wirelesscommunication with the clock). The dimmer command controls activation ofthe electric light at the shade command time (even if the user has notactivated the lighting control 112). This ensures that the user can wakeup gently to light instead of the audible alarm.

At step 1212, the routine ends.

The methods and system described herein may be at least partiallyembodied in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatus forpracticing those processes. The disclosed methods may also be at leastpartially embodied in the form of tangible, non-transient machinereadable storage media encoded with computer program code. The media mayinclude, for example, RAMs, ROMs, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, BD-ROMs, hard diskdrives, flash memories, or any other non-transient machine-readablestorage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded intoand executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus forpracticing the method. The methods may also be at least partiallyembodied in the form of a computer into which computer program code isloaded and/or executed, such that, the computer becomes a specialpurpose computer for practicing the methods. When implemented on ageneral-purpose processor, the computer program code segments configurethe processor to create specific logic circuits. The methods mayalternatively be at least partially embodied in a digital signalprocessor formed of application specific integrated circuits forperforming the methods.

Although the subject matter has been described in terms of exemplaryembodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claimsshould be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments,which may be made by those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for generating an alarm, theapparatus comprising: means for receiving an alarm time; means fordetermining one or more time intervals relative to the alarm time; meansfor transmitting at least one shade positioning command, so as to causea shade to move to one or more positions at the one or more timeintervals relative to the alarm time; and means for generating an audioalarm that gradually increases in volume.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the means for receiving an alarm time includes a mobile devicedock configured to connect to a port of a mobile device.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for generating an audio alarm isconfigured to begin sounding the audio alarm at a first one of the timeintervals after the alarm time.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a communications interface configured to couple the apparatusto a mobile device, wherein the apparatus includes a processor, and theprocessor is configured to detect when the mobile device is coupled tothe apparatus for transmitting information to the apparatus.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is configured to receive thealarm time from the mobile device and to store an internal alarm time,and the processor is configured to generate the at least one shadepositioning command at the internal alarm time, if the processor doesnot detect any mobile device coupled to the apparatus.
 6. The apparatusof claim 4, wherein the communications interface is a wirelessinterface.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a housingcontaining the apparatus, wherein the means for transmitting includes awireless communications interface within the housing and coupled to aprocessor for transmitting the at least one shade positioning commandfrom the processor to the shade; wherein the processor is configured toprovide dimmer commands to a dimmer via the first communicationsinterface at an end of each respective time interval, to cause thedimmer to set at least one electrical light at a respective level at apredetermined time relative to the alarm time.
 8. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the means for determining one or more time intervals isconfigured to calculate an end of each respective time interval based onthe alarm time, such that the shade is partially open prior to the alarmtime and in an open position at the alarm time.
 9. An apparatus forgenerating an alarm, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving analarm time; means for determining one or more time intervals relative tothe alarm time; means for transmitting at least one shade positioningcommand, so as to cause a shade to move to one or more positions at theone or more time intervals relative to the alarm time; and means forgenerating an audio alarm upon passage of a predetermined amount of timeafter the alarm time.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising afirst control and a second control, wherein: the means for generating anaudio alarm is responsive to the first control for activating ordeactivating the audio alarm, and the means for transmitting at leastone shade positioning command is responsive to the second control foractivating or deactivating transmission of the at least one shadepositioning command, and the first control and the second control arecapable of being set independently of each other.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 9, further comprising a housing containing the apparatus, and asnooze control on the housing, wherein activation of the snooze controlinterrupts the audio alarm and moves the shade to a snooze position fora predetermined period, and resumes the audio alarm and returns theshade to a partially open or open position when the predetermined periodhas ended.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a lightsensor configured to provide a light level signal, and means, responsiveto the light level signal, for determining at a respective timecorresponding to each respective shade positioning command whether alight level corresponding to the light level signal is lower than athreshold value, and transmitting a respective dimmer command to adimmer if the light level is lower than the threshold value.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, further comprising a housing containing theapparatus, wherein the light sensor is in or on the housing.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus includes a processor, andthe processor is configured to access a daily sunrise time from theInternet, and transmit a respective dimmer command corresponding to eachtime interval to a dimmer, to control an electric light if the alarmtime is earlier than the daily sunrise time.
 15. The apparatus of claim9, wherein the apparatus includes a processor, and the processor isconfigured to transmit a respective dimmer command corresponding to eachtime interval to a dimmer to control an electric light.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus includes a processor, andthe processor is configured to detect when a mobile device storing thealarm time is in close proximity to the clock and request the alarm timefrom the mobile device upon detecting that the mobile device is in closeproximity to the apparatus.
 17. A clock, comprising: a housing; a firstcontrol on the housing for setting an audible alarm; a second control onthe housing for setting a sequence of shade commands, a processor withinthe housing, the processor configured for: causing the audible alarm tosound at one or more predetermined intervals relative to an alarm time,in response to the first control being set, and generating at least twoshade commands to be transmitted wirelessly to at least one shade atrespective transmission times, so as to cause the at least one shade tomove to respective positions at one or more predetermined intervalsrelative to the alarm time, in response to the second control being set;and a wireless communications interface within the housing and coupledto the processor for transmitting the at least two shade commands to theat least one shade.
 18. The clock of claim 17, further comprising anon-transitory, machine readable storage medium storing lightingassociation information for a lighting control to enable the lightingcontrol to change a light level in response to commands from theprocessor at the one or more predetermined intervals relative to thealarm time.
 19. The clock of claim 18, further comprising a secondcommunications interface within the housing and coupled to the processorfor transmitting the commands to the lighting control.
 20. The clock ofclaim 17, further comprising a light sensor for measuring a light level,wherein the processor is configured for determining at the one or morepredetermined intervals relative to the alarm time whether the lightlevel is lower than a threshold value, and transmitting a dimmer commandto a dimmer if the light level is lower than the threshold value. 21.The clock of claim 18, further comprising a third control on thehousing, wherein the processor is configured for causing transmission ofthe commands at the one or more predetermined intervals relative to thealarm time, in response to the third control being set.
 22. The clock ofclaim 17, wherein the processor is configured to receive a sunrise timefrom the Internet and determine the alarm time based on the sunrisetime.
 23. The clock of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured forpositioning the at least one shade such that the at least one shade ispartially open prior to the alarm time and in an open position at thealarm time.